Stories by WTTW News
February 28, 2017 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Watch the Feb. 28, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."
The Science and Ethics of Editing Human Embryos
| Paul Caine
Earlier this month, an influential group backs editing the genes in human embryos to eliminate disease. Chicago Tonight guests discuss human gene editing and some of the ethical issues it raises.
CPS Receives Proposals to Open up to 20 New Charters
| Matt Masterson
Days after Chicago Public Schools' deadline to submit charter school letters of intent, the district announced it had received word from more than a dozen operators looking to open up to 20 new schools across Chicago.
Illinois Education Superintendent on School Funding, Standards
| Nick Blumberg
Illinois State Board of Education Superintendent Tony Smith joins Chicago Tonight to talk about changing the state's school funding formula and setting a high bar for students.
Illinois Lawmakers Weigh Legalizing Gun Silencers
| Paris Schutz
Legislation in Springfield to make gun silencers legal is getting bipartisan support, but gun control advocates warn that legalizing them will make the already dangerous streets of Chicago worse.
Will Trump Unify or Defy in His First Address to Congress?
| Evan Garcia
A senior White House official says President Donald Trump’s speech Tuesday will have an optimistic tone and follow a “renewal of the American spirit” theme.
West Side Factory Aims to Beat the Pants Off Apparel Industry
| Erica Gunderson
We visit a small company in Garfield Park that is hoping to revive the Chicago apparel industry with a combination of American materials and immigrant know-how.
Eliza Fournier: How to Garden When the Weather Gets Weird
| Marc Vitali
The master gardener joins us to share some gardening tips for warm winter weather.
Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards Highlight Progress, Positivity
| Maya Miller
The 18-year-old founder of a Chicago clothing line will be the youngest recipient of a leadership award at the Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards on Tuesday. Meet Raven Smith and learn about her brand, Straight From The Go.
Trump’s Russia Policy Sends Mixed Messages as Investigations Mount
| Paul Caine
As a House committee chair says no special prosecutor is needed to investigate Trump- Russia ties, a look at the evolving U.S.-Russia relationship.
Cash-Strapped CPS Files Motion, Threatens Shorter School Year
| Brandis Friedman
Chicago Public Schools students could be in for a shorter school year.
February 27, 2017 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Watch the Feb. 27, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."
Rauner Unveils New Health Care Plan
Governor Says He’ll Meet Trump ‘Any Time’
| Amanda Vinicky
Gov. Bruce Rauner is back in Illinois after a quick trip to Washington D.C. He did not meet with President Donald Trump, but the two chatted by phone.
Rauner Backs Bill to Test Groundwater Near Quarries
| Evan Garcia
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner is supporting a bill that would require testing of groundwater near quarries where construction debris is dumped.
NIH Awards Local Scientists $2.4M to Create Visual Prosthesis
| Kristen Thometz
Researchers from the Illinois Institute of Technology and University of Chicago are part of a team developing a visual prosthesis that aims to restore partial vision in people who have become blind.
Judge Tosses Former Governor’s Lawsuit Seeking Elected School Board
| Matt Masterson
A second judge has tossed a case brought by former Gov. Pat Quinn calling for the Chicago Board of Education to be transformed into an elected body.
Hollywood Plot Twist: Epic Mix-Up Makes Oscars History
| Alexandra Silets
Hollywood produced its biggest plot twist ever at the Academy Awards featuring a best picture winner with Chicago ties.
Former CPS Leader Calls Out Cuts to Low-Income, Minority Schools
| Nick Blumberg
Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Jesse Ruiz on how the district lost its “moral high ground” because of school budget cuts.
Viewer Feedback: ‘A Change is Needed!’
| Erica Gunderson
We share some of your reactions to our 4th Ward aldermanic forum.
Chicago Ideas Asks Panel, Audience to ‘Reimagine Prison’
| Maya Miller
The nation’s prison system was in the spotlight last week at an event hosted by Chicago Ideas and the New York-based Vera Institute of Justice.
Rauner Crushes Prospect of Further Union Negotiations
| Amanda Vinicky
The heightened potential of a state employee strike did nothing to sway Gov. Bruce Rauner, who on Friday swiftly dismissed the notion of returning to the bargaining table with AFSCME.
CPS Unfreezing $15M in School Funds After Latino Community Outcry
| Matt Masterson
Chicago Public Schools announced Friday it will return $15 million in frozen discretionary funds to high-poverty district schools, citing a “disproportionate impact” that freeze had on predominantly African-American and Hispanic schools.
Bill Would Allow Illinois Farmers to Grow Industrial Hemp
| Alex Ruppenthal
At least 16 states have legalized industrial hemp production for commercial purposes. Could Illinois be next?
The Week in Review: Mayor Pushes Back on President’s Policies
| Nick Blumberg
Emanuel won’t honor Trump’s rollback of transgender student rights, and Chicago schools will refuse entry to immigration agents without a warrant. Those stories and more with Joel Weisman and guests.
‘90 Days, 90 Voices’ Shares Stories of Immigrants, Refugees in Chicago
| Maya Miller
Inspired by President Donald Trump’s executive order on immigration, a team of local journalists launched a website this week to tell the stories of immigrants and refugees living in Chicago.
February 23, 2017 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Watch the Feb. 23, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."
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